Before you fly

A little preparation can make a big difference to your travel experience. Get to the airport in plenty of time and you're already set up for a calmer journey. You'll be less likely to forget something, too.

If you do need medication, check beforehand that you're allowed to take it into your destination country, and obtain a doctor's letter if necessary (get more information from NHS Direct). If you've any health worries, such as heart or lung complaints, please consult your doctor before you travel. You may wish to obtain a Medical Information Form (MEDIF) from your airline.

Fear of flying

Not everyone loves flying, and a few people dread it. Symptoms range from anxiety at take-off to all-out fear of even boarding an aircraft. Strange noises, claustrophobia, perceived loss of control or panic attacks can all ruin sufferers' peace of mind.

If you're affected, there's no need to suffer in silence. Let the cabin crew know you're worried and they can keep an eye on you – that can be reassuring by itself.

If you don't like turbulence, reserve a seat near the centre of the aircraft where it's felt less strongly.

To keep calm, try to occupy your mind – even a good book can help. Play calming music through your headphones, or try deep breathing exercises.

Courses designed to help beat fear of flying are also available, often run in conjunction with airlines. For example: Flying with Confidence course (in conjunction with British Airways).

Motion sickness

Some people suffer from motion sickness on moving vehicles. It's caused by conflicting messages from the eyes and the motion sensors of the inner ear – your body says you're moving but your eyes say you're sitting still. For those affected by this condition, symptoms can include:

Nausea

Dizziness

Fatigue

Vomiting

Cold sweats

Headache.

Anxiety or odours can worsen the condition, and children aged two to 12 are more susceptible. If you're prone to motion sickness, these tips from the Aerospace Medical Association may help:

Dehydration

The cabin air on board a plane is much drier than on the ground. Dehydration can case headaches and tiredness, and is bad for your skin, kidneys, liver, joints and muscles. Drink plenty of water and fruit juice, and avoid alcohol or drinks containing caffeine. It may also help to use a mist sprayer or moisturise your skin.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

DVT is a blood clot in the deep veins of the body, usually in the legs. If part of the clot breaks off and travels to the lungs, it can cause collapsed lungs and heart failure. It has been linked with long-distance travel (journeys of four hours or more) on any form of transport. Experts agree that immobility is a main factor.

During the flight, try to move around (when it's safe to do so) – walk up and down the cabin regularly and do in-flight exercises. This will also help you avoid cramp.

Avoid taking sleeping pills, because they'll leave you immobile for a long time. Wear loose clothing to aid circulation.

Elastic flight stockings improve circulation and can further help lower the risk of DVT. You can buy them at pharmacies or shops in the departure lounge.

Ear problems

Some people suffer from ear pain or even temporary hearing loss as the aircraft descends. Air pressure in your middle ear is controlled by the Eustachian tubes, which open in the back of the throat. If the tubes become blocked, rising cabin pressure pushes on the ear drums and causes discomfort.

These tips from NHS Direct may help if you suffer from this condition, which usually clears up after a short while:

Your Eustachian tubes don't open properly while you're asleep, so try to be awake approximately an hour before landing.

If you've had ear surgery, check with your doctor before booking a flight.

Infections

Half the air in a modern aircraft cabin is drawn in from outside and half is recirculated from the cabin. Recirculated air is filtered to remove contaminants. Many aircraft use the same system as hospital operating theatres, removing bacteria and some viruses too. So there's nothing intrinsically bad about cabin air quality, according to the Aerospace Medical Association.

Obviously the aircraft is a confined space, and germs can still be spread person-to-person. For this reason, anyone with a contagious illness should cancel or delay their flight until they're better.

Cosmic radiation

The earth's atmosphere protects us against radiation from space. This shield is thinner at higher altitudes, and some people – particularly frequent flyers – worry that their risk of getting cancer might increase.

According to Cancer Research UK, flying on a commercial airliner is safe and unlikely to affect your risk of cancer, even for regular travellers and flight crew, because radiation levels are still below recognised health limits.

Some studies have suggested that pilots and cabin crew may face a slightly higher risk of skin cancer and breast cancer. However, the evidence is inconsistent and there might be other causes – for example, the amount of time spent in sunnier climates.

Jet lag

Not everyone gets jet lag. People with strict daily routines tend to be worst affected, whilst children and babies rarely suffer. The problem is usually worse when travelling east than west, because the body can cope better with a longer day than with a shorter one. Recovery takes about a day for every time zone crossed.

Flying whilst pregnant

Air travel is generally safe for expectant mothers. Each airline has its own guidelines so you should check with yours to make sure you can travel. There's plenty of advice on pregnancy and travel on the Health Protection Scotland website. Here are a few key tips:

Always get the all-clear from your doctor before you travel while pregnant.

The most risky times to travel are in the first 12 to 15 weeks of pregnancy, and after 30 weeks.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is intended for information only, and is not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Nothing on this page is intended to constitute advice to you. Specific advice should be sought in specific situations from a properly qualified health professional.